Bonita Granville | |
---|---|
![]() Granville c. 1946 | |
Born | Bonita Gloria Granville February 2, 1923 New York City, U.S. |
Died | October 11, 1988 Santa Monica, California, U.S. | (aged 65)
Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California |
Other names | Bonita Granville Wrather |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1926–1981 |
Known for | These Three Nancy Drew... Reporter Nancy Drew... Detective Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Now, Voyager |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Bonita Gloria Granville Wrather[1] (February 2, 1923 – October 11, 1988) was an American actress and producer.
The daughter of vaudevillians, Granville began her career on the stage at age three.[2][3] She initially began as a child actress, making her film debut in Westward Passage (1932). She rose to prominence for her role in These Three (1936), which earned her an Academy Award nomination at age fourteen. Her prominence continued with the Nancy Drew film series, and roles in Now, Voyager (1942) and Hitler's Children (1943).
After marrying Jack Wrather in 1947, Granville transitioned into producing with her husband on series such as Lassie (1959–1973). She also worked as a philanthropist and a businesswoman, most notably owning and operating the Disneyland Hotel and the Queen Mary in Long Beach, with her husband. She was appointed to the John F. Kennedy Center Board of Trustees by president Richard Nixon in 1972 and for another term by president Ronald Reagan in 1982.[2][4]
In addition to her Oscar nomination, Granville received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for her contributions to the film industry. She and her husband were posthumously named Disney Legends in 2011.